THE CLOSEST community to the two proposed brine water injection wells is Fairview, which is home to the Pennyroyal Opera House. T-L Photo/SHELLEY HANSON

FAIRVIEW — Tri-State Environmental of Cadiz has applied for permits to install two different brine injection wells off Fairview Road in Kirkwood Township, Belmont County.

According to a public notice, Tri-State has applied for permits with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to dig two wells to inject brine water associated with the production of oil and natural gas. The first well would be called Tri-State #1, in Section 31, Kirkwood Township.

“The proposed well will inject into the Ohio Shale at a depth of 4,600 to 4,800 feet. The average injection is estimated to be 4,000 barrels per day,” according to the notice. “The maximum injection pressure is estimated to be 1,060 psi.”

The second well would be called Tri-State #2, in Section 25, Kirkwood Township.

“The proposed well will inject into the Bass Islands through Salina Group at a depth of 5,200 to 5,500 feet,” the notice states.

The No. 2 well also would receive an estimated 4,000 barrels of brine per day. This would equate to about 168,000 gallons per day.

It is noted the maximum injection pressure would be 1,200 pounds of pressure per square inch.

The wells will be located near each other.

The notice states those who wish for more information can contact Tri-State at 832-247-5616 or ODNR at 614-265-6922. Comments and objections must be received by ODNR no later than 15 days after Feb. 28 via mail to: Ohio DNR Division of Oil & Gas Resources Management, 2045 Morse Road, Building F-2, Columbus, OH 43229. Comments can also be emailed to: oilandgas@dnr.state.oh.us.

Meanwhile, a different company’s permit application to drill a brine injection well outside of St. Clairsville still is under review by the state, said Adam Schroeder, ODNR public information officer. That company is Omni Energy Group LLC of New Jersey.

“We’re checking on geological stuff and working with ODOT on their traffic study,” Schroeder said. “We’re holding a public meeting in the area, but have not set a date for that yet. We’re going to hold a public meeting because of the feedback.”

That well would be located near the intersection of U.S. 40 and Ohio 331. Several people have expressed opposition to Omni’s permit application. Communities such as the city of St. Clairsville have joined in sending letters of opposition to the well to ODNR. Richland Township’s Board of Trustees also took action to block the project by indefinitely tabling a permit and road use maintenance agreement. They, and numerous residents, object to the site’s proximity to residences — particularly on the adjacent Pickering Road — businesses, county government buildings, a college and nearby heavy traffic.

Schroeder noted not all the feedback received by ODNR has been against the well; some of it has been positive.

Brine water is the radioative waste left over from fracking a natural gas well.

“Currently there is only one Class II injection well operating in Belmont County. This is the Buckeye UIC Barnesville 1 well operated by CNX Water Resources DBA Convey Water Systems. The well is located in Warren Township,” he added.

The site of the proposed Tri-State injection wells is located near an existing natural gas well pad, the Kirkwood B pad, which is operated by Ascent Resources. There are four active gas wells at that site. One of Tri-State Environmental’s owners, Sandy Marceaux, declined to comment Friday.

Staff Writer Robert DeFrank contributed to this report.